Door closer



Oct 13, 1959 H. R. SULLIVAN ETAL 2,908,050

DOOR CLOSER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 23, 1957 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 2,908,050 Patented Oct. 13, 1959 DOOR CLOSER 6 Claims. (Cl. 2016) This invention relates to door closer apparatus and particularly to a novel apparatus wherein a torsion bar is utilized to provide torque for returning a door to a closed position.

In general, one aspect of the present invention invention includes a leaf hinge type of construction wherein a resilient bar forms the pivotal connection between the leaf portions of the hinges. In addition, the torsion bar is utilized to provide the torque required to close the door and to maintain the door in a closed position.

As another aspect, the present invention provides a jamb pivot type of construction whereby a door is hung in the center of the jamb, with a resilient torsion bar being disposed within the door along the pivotal axes thereof. The .upper and lower ends of the torsion bar are extended beyond the upper and lower edges of the door and inserted into sockets carried by the door frame whereby the torsion bar and sockets form the pivotal connection for mounting the door to its frame. In addition, the torsion bar is anchored to the frame at one of said extended ends and said bar is also anchored to the door whereby opening of the door twists the torsion bar such that upon release of the door the torsion bar exerts a torque on the doorand closes same.

As still another aspect, the present invention provides a novel mounting apparatus for a center hung torsion bar type door mounting, which apparatus facilitates hanging a door and is adapted for the application of pre-loaded torque to the torsion bar which forms a pivotal mounting for the door and also urges said door towards a closed position.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a door closing apparatus wherein a resilient bar provides both means for pivotally mounting the door and means for returning the door to a closed position.

It is another objectof the present invention to provide a novel leaf hinge type door mounting which includes means for returning the door to a closed position.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel jamb socket type mounting means for a door which includes means for returning the door to a closed position.

' It is another object of the present invention to provide door mounting apparatus of the type described which is either completely or substantially hidden from view.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel mounting apparatus for a center hung type door which apparatus facilitates the hanging of a door and is adapted for the application of a pre-loaded torque to the torsion bar that forms the hanging pivot and urges the door towards a closed position.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred forms of embodiments of the invention are clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Figure is a front elevational view of a door mounting and closing apparatus constructed according to the present invention and constitutes one aspect thereof;

Figure 2 is a top sectional view of the apparatus of Figure l with the section being taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a second door mounting and closing apparatus constructed according to the present invention and constituting a second aspect thereof;

Figure 4 is a top sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 3 with the section being taken along the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 illustrates a head jamb portion of a door mounting apparatus constructed according to the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates a floor portion of a door mounting apparatus used in connection with the apparatus of Figure 5; p p

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 5, the section being taken along the line 77 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the portion of the apparatus of Figure 6 with the section being taken along the line 88 of Figure 6; V

Figure 9 is a sectional view illustrating the head jamb portion of another door mounting apparatus constructed according to the present invention and comprising another aspect thereof;

Figure 10 is a sectional view of a floor portion of the door mounting apparatus of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 9; the portion being taken along the line 1111 of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 9 the section being taken along the line 1212 of Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 10, the section being taken along the line 13-13 of Figure 10; and T Figure 14 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 10, the section being taken along'the line 14-14 of Figure 10.

Referring in detail to the drawing, Figure 1 illustrates a Wall indicated generally at 20 which forms the frame means for a door including top frame member 21, jamb member 22, floor member 23, and side member 24. A

door 26 is hung on three butt hinges indicated generally at 28, 29, and 30. Upper hinge 28 includes a door leaf 32 and a jamb leaf 33. Similarly, door leaves 35 and 37 form the portions of the other two hinges 29 and 30. A torsion bar 40' is extended through the bearing holes formed by the leaf portions of the hinges thereby providing the pivotal connection between the two leaf portions of each hinge.

To provide the necessary torque action for closing door 26, torsion bar 40' is anchored to one of the door leaves of one of the hinges and also to one of the jamb leaves for another one of the hinges. i

As one arrangement torsion bar 40 may be anchored at its upper end to door leaf 32 of upper hinge 28, with torsion bar 40 passing freely through hinge 29 and having its lower end anchored to jamb leaf 37 of lower hinge 30. As another arrangement the upper end' of torsion bar 40 is anchored to jamb leaf 33 of an upper hinge 28, with the torsion bar passing freely through hinge 29 and having its lower end anchored to door leaf 36 of lower hinge 30. As another arrangement torsion bar 40 can be secured between a doorleaf and a jamb leaf for hinges 28 and 29 respectively, or between a door leaf and a jamb leaf of hinges 29 and 30 respectively. Or, if desired, torsion bar 40 can be secured to a door leaf of hinge 28, a jamb leaf of hinge 29, and a door leaf of inge 30, respectively As an alternative, torsion bar flll c an' besecured to a jarnb leaf of binge 28, a door leaf "'ofhinge'29', .and ajfarnbleafo'f hin'gjefSOLii f if As sti ll another alternativei for theiapparatu's of Figure ifl; do or 26 "can;'bel hungtodoiily the two butt'fh nges "28 "and '30 g' th'e inter'rnittent' 'hirig 29 being omitted. The torsionbar 40 is then secured to either the door leaf ""bf hi "'zsj'ana thejainbleaf' 6r biggest); or to thejamb -1af6r1iiri e 2's 'aiid t'lie doorfleaf ofihinge s0. :u- "In operation 'o'f'the'apparatus of -Figure L whe'n idoor r 26 is opened torsion bar 40 is twisted about its long tu- Tdiiialaiis? "Thaw-regatta nessgmus induced willcause th'edoor' a5 @1636 when the door is releasedl In addition, torsion bar 40 is anchored to the hinge portions wi'th a suitable'fportibniofthe twistbingp'r''sent in torsion bar 40 when 50052615111 the closed position'fagainst a: stop 42 as seen in Figure). Thus it will be understoodithat 4' e re'sidualtorque, iiefthe torque rem'ainingin to'rsion ar- 40 when the door is closed-serve's'to constantly urge door 26 against stop 42. With this arrangement'the rje'sidlialtor'queprovides an initial -resistance toopening bf-madma j. "3.1? it ,1

It will be understood that torsion bar 40.may be utilized fashin ge pins] in the manner illustrated, or 'it' may be iltilized in conjunction with a conventional hinge pin ar- 1 rangement, l 1 i iReference is next madeto Figu'res3. and14. wherein a second aspect oft the-present inventionis illustrated, The construction illustrated in Figure 3 includes a, door 26-A provided with a longitudinally disposed holer 50 through -whichds extended a 'resilie nt torsion bar 40-A... An upper frame portion 21A-carries a. head jamb mountingmap- ;paratus 52,1Figure-5,- that forms;a sockettintovwhich is in'sertedan upper end 53 of. torsionbar 40-Au Floor member 23-A carries a floor mounting apparatus; ,54, '-.I1" igure"6,- 'intowhic -a.' lower end 55 is insertedlli The mou'nting apparatus 52, 52-A, and 54' are illustrated in Figures 5 through 14 and described .in .detaillater iherein'l 4 1 i p I a .1 a Asione arrangement Ofihel apparatus of Figure .3,,door 26-A is hung in the center of..jamb.22,with torsion bar 40-A h'avingflits .npp'er end 53 and lower. endi55 inserted e; inte -head jamb, mounting apparatus 52 and I fl'oorrm l nting apparatus 54 respectively. Theiipper end 53 of torsioni'bar 40+Ais anchored to upper frame portion 21-A uatlhead jamb mounting apparatus 5 2sand; the lower end a not ltorsion-rbar 40.-A- is anchored to door 265A at floor mountingrapparatusfil. Hencewhend'oor 26 is opened 'ftorsionsbar40eA willbetwisted; the torsional stress thus nduced. being available for closing thedoor. n t iAsranialternative;arrangement for the apparatus of is FigureszB land l, door; 26 A isitagain hung in the center i of a-..jarnb 22,1..as'illustratedpthe upperiend 53 Afl of torsion bar. 4043,; beingrfreely inserted into 'ajheacL jamb Emounting apparatus, v57 ti\,r. Figure 1 9; which apparatus forms a bearing for rotatably supporting upper end53-A s anrofrthe. totrsion bar, The vupper endpf the torsion bar is .:.also. anchoredtovdoor,26A. The lower. end 55 of the l i torsion .barpasses freely through the door bottom and is anchored to floor mounting. apparatus 54-A, Figure 10.. .Hehce it will beunderstood that upon opening of door 26, torsion b'ar 40B' is twisted,f the torsional stress 7 thus iiiducedjs'erving to return the door to a closed positi'on when the dooris released. Here again, as was the case of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, a stop 42 is provided for engagement by the door when the door is in the closed configuration. 'Moreover, torsion bar '40 -A or til-Bis inoninted in a slightly twisted configurati on whenit is securedto its previously described anchored connection. Hence, a residual torque remain-sin torsion EgrAO-B when the door is closed, thus holding the door firmly against stop to providea resistance to Reference is'n''xt made Figuresd'through w hich illustrate in detail one of the previously mentioned door mounting apparatus which comprises one aspect of the present invention. Such apparatus includes a headjamb V portion 52 and floor mounting apparatus 54.

With particular reference to Figure 5, upper frame 5 member 21-A has a recessy61 in which is mounted a housing 62. A plurality of screws 86 secure housing 62 to frame member fi Aii" A'fsocket 75 is mounted for yertical, sliding movement in housing 6 2. Lower end, of

or lowered by means'jof a'lever -6'8 pi I the inner warrant "pivot 69. Onei'e'nd-of-lever '68 is 'engaged by a screw 67 carried in a threaded hole in housing 62. Theothef'endbflever 68 passes freely through a vertical slot 71 in housing 62 and it extends into a hole 77 in the side wall of socket 75. Hence it rwi-llbe understood-that when screw 67' is screwed-upwardly'sock'et"75 islowered ,;1and when screw 67 is moved The upper edge of door 26-A includes a recess and clan upperibearing plate 65 is iljthis' recessrby means of --a plurality of screws 86:; '1he ppermost, roundrp r ion J t on b r Q extends ..t, ,freely throughalbjearing 88carriedby= bearing plate 65, and the uppenj end 53-,of torsion bar 40A is of 21 quare cros .seQ ipn... 9n Q m n w th 1 IQS 65 0 fih .1 i Fr ni t e. ove it wi .fieund t od t i sec 75 is in a raised position, above the 'lower surface of.

hou ingufi t 1P1d90 FAJQ-Ub? movesi'inw l.-..'PO v n in th cent v of: e. iambiwhe sby 9 5 in 'socket 75 is axially alinged with end 53 on torsion bar .IAQl-Y v q ,6 1mm"t an be. c ew d. u w dl wh e y so cket 75 is moved downwardlyand into anchoring en- ..g se .nien it lppe' en 5 f, q i n er Re e ri Pa ul r y-i Fi ur 6. P i usl m tioned floor mounting apparatus 5' 4 includes a floor plate fii e redtq.fl o i'lrAvb nmea s 9f; a ur yof sc ew 85- :A. com i a ion Qf. .d ?an l; fis bea 4 4 is rri y flqorp1 ter8 .,and p ablyl t a p oj ion 9 1mm th pt m f a ey r r plate ..lhe sq are lower 331.5 ji QK Qn br 4 A 1 t h yr'cs red.. o,the ow o t mist. t El iIi Such p a manner that preloaded-torque can be appliedtotofsion A at the tirne he door is beinghung. A ratchet 80, is ppsitioled in a'recess 101.. :i nthe bottom ofdoor 26-A and includes a square'hole 82 conforming in crosssectional shape with the square lower end of torsion M amweA- Bee e 0. s i y r o r e in yarious positigns'of rotation, bylmeans ofa pin 78 that can be" selectively inserted into any one of ithe jplurality of holes 79 or drilled "radially; 1 afdly into ;.th 1'Pq iPh Y. r firel i$9 a is b t y Figure With referenc'e to Figure 6 t he outer leiidgofpin 78 is 55 s ss di rim war y p iq fls'fiqv f 15 gn the upper surface of lower door plate 83. In assemb n th i narams fitLFisure t 'ri 851551561" is t provided in'thedoor with such hole surfer sufficient dia me ter to provide clearance space between the outer surface of torsion 4'81 and the wall or 1101660". \{Iop bearing; plate is then fastened in recess 6 3- in the top of thejdoor. Ratchet '80 is; then placed over ,the lower end 53 of the torsion barand the torsion tbar is inserted into hole60 in the door so that the top of square -upper 55'-'en 1 =53"-ot=the ftorsio'n bar; is flush With"the -top ofi the "door"? lowerdoor plate 83fis thenattached'to the bottom of the door so that 'around' bl'ind hole 100 in' 'pl'ate 83 d 'f P '101 o'11 1 the bottom" end 'of the ce it will-be finderstood 'that lower door plate serves retain the torsio'nba'rin holef60' of the asai aiidblin'dhole 1'00 n1'aintains the torsion bar in axial alignment with top bearing 88. f" v The door is hung by moving so'c'k'e positionja'spreviously describedi- -Tlie door,- Vtially open position,

n a paris inserted into position so that the fastened ingthe: bottom of 5 to n upper t bottom pivot projection 99 is seated in bearing 84 carried by floor plate 85. With the door still in a partially open position, the top of the door is moved inwardly so that the top square portion 53 of the torsion bar is in axial alignment with socket 75. An adjusting pin, not illustrated, is next inserted through an access opening in the side of the bottom of the door,'with the end of such adjusting pin being inserted into one of the radial holes 79 in ratchet 80. By means of the adjusting pin the ratchet 80 and torsion bar are rotated to a position wherein the square upper end 53 of the torsion bar lines up with the square hole 98 in the bottom of socket 75. Screw 67 is now screwed upwardly whereby lever 68 extends socket 75 downwardly over the square upper end of torsion bar 40-A.

The door being now hung in the doorway opening, the previously mentioned adjusting pin is utilized to wind ratchet 80 and torsion bar 40-A to provide the desired amount of pre-loaded torque whereby door 26A is urged against the previously mentioned stop 42 illustrated in Figure 3. Previously mentioned pin 78 is next inserted into one of the radial holes 79 and ratchet 80. When the adjusting pin is removed, the outer end of pin 78 will bear against projection 90 carried by lower door plate 33.

It will now be understood that the torsion bar will normally be subjected to a pre-loaded torque restrained at the bottom by ratchet 80, pin 78, shoulder 90, lower door plate 83, and door 26A, with this pre-loaded torque being resisted at the top by means of socket 75 which is restrained against rotation by lever 68 at slot 77. Said lever '68 is mounted to housing 62 which housing is in turn mounted to upper frame member 21-A.

In operation of the apparatus of Figures 5 through 8, when the door is open it pivots freely at the top above torsion bar 40A. Bearing 88 forms a pivot between the top of the door and the round portion of the top of the torsion bar. At the bottom of the door lower door plate 83 pivots freely on bearing 84 whereby shoulder 90 on lower door plate 83 exerts a force against the side of pin 78 whereby ratchet 80 is rotated and torsion bar 40-A is twisted about its longitudinal axis. Hence tortional energy is stored in the torsion bar which energy is utilized to close the door when the door is released. Upon release of the door ratchet 80 is roated whereby pin 78 applies force to shoulder 90 on lower door plate 83. The torsional enrgy is then transmitted through lower door plate 83 to door 26-A.

Reference is next made to Figures 9 through 14 which illustrate another door closing apparatus comprising another aspect of the present invention. This apparatus includes the previously mentioned head jamb mounting apparatus 52-A and floor mounting apparatus 54-A.

Referring particularly to Figure 9, head jamb mounting apparatus 52-A includes the housing 62 and the lever and socket mechanism contained therein, of the same construction previously described in connection With Figure 5. The socket 75-A of Figure 9 dilfers from the previously described socket 75 in that the lower end of socket 75A carries a bearing 103 having a round hole 92 for rotatably receiving a round upper end 53-A of torsion bar 40-B. Such round upper end 53-A and round bearing hole 92 form an anti-friction pivot for the upper end of door 26B.

Referring particularly to Figure 10, a lower square end 55-A on torsion bar 40B is inserted into a square hole 105 formed in a floor anchor plate 85-A, the latter being secured to floor 23-A by a plurality of screws 86. The combination radial and thrust bearing 84 is mounted on floor anchor plate 85-A and receives a downward projection 107 on lower floor plate 83-A. As is best seen in Figure 13, the lowermost round portion of torsion bar 40-B extends through a round bearing 94 carried by lower door plate 83-A. Hence it will be understood that the bottom of the door 26B can pivot freely about the lowermost round portion of torsion bar 40B.

Referring particularly to Figures 9 and 12 the .upper end of torsion bar 40-B includes a portion of square cross-section which fits into a square hole 82 through the center of ratchet 80. Pin 78 is inserted into one of a plurality of radial holes 79 in the periphery ofratchet 80, with the outer end of pin 78 being engaged by a shoulder 90, in upper door plate 65-A. It will be noted that upper door plate 65-A is mounted to door 26B by a pluralit of screws 86.

In assembling the apparatus of Figures 9 through 14 a hole 60 is formed longitudinally through the door and a recess 63 is provided in the top of the door in themanner illustrated. Top door plate 65-A is fastened in recess 63 and between door plate 83-A is secured to the bottom edge of the door. Ratchet 80 with its square central hole 82 is next mounted on square portion 91 on the upper end of the torsion bar and'the torsion bar is inserted in the hole '60 in the door. The lower end of the torsion bar is extended through bearing 94 car: ried by lower door plate 83-A.

With socket 75A in a retracted position, as previously described, and with the door in a partially open position, the square lower end 55-A of the torsion bar is inserted into square hole 195 in floor anchor plate 85-A. The round top portion 53A of the torsion bar is next axially aligned in a round bearing hole 92 in socket 75-A. Hence screw 67 is screwed upwardly whereby socket 75-A moves downwardly into surrounding relationship with round end 53A of the torsion bar.

An access panel, not illustrated, on the side of the door at the top is removed to provide access to ratchet 80. An adjusting pin, not illustrated, is next inserted into one of the radial holes 79 whereby the ratchet and torsion bar can be wound to provide the desired amount of pre-loaded torque. A pin 78 is next inserted into one of a plurality of radial holes 79 in ratchet 80 such that when the adjusting pin is removed pin 78 will bear against shoulder on upper door plate 65A.

With reference to the operation of the apparatus of Figures 9 through 14, as the door is opened shoulder 90 applies a force to pin 78 and ratchet 80 whereby the top of the torsion bar is rotated. It will be understood that the round upper end 53-A of the torsion bar will pivot frely in the bearing 92 of socket 75A. Hence it will be understood that the torsion bar acts as a pivot for the top of the door. At the bottom, the lower square end 55-A of the torsion bar is anchored in the square hole in floor anchor plate 85A. It will be understood, however, that the lower end of the door pivots. freely about the torsion bar at the bearing 94 whereby the torsion bar forms. a lower pivotal mounting for the door.

When the door is opened twisting action is applied to torsion bar ill-B through upper door plate 65-A, shoulder 90, pin 78, and ratchet 89. At the bottom rotation of the torsion bar is resisted by floor anchor plate 85-A secured to floor 23A. Hence it will be understood that opening of the door serves to store torsional energy in torsion bar 4-843, which energy is utilized to effect closing action when the door is released.

While the forms of embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. The combination of a door frame including an upper hinge socket and a lower hinge socket; a door including a hole formed through the door from the upper edge to the lower edge thereof, said hole being coextensive with the pivotal axis of the door; a resilient bar extended through said hole and having an upper end inserted in said upper socket and a lower end inserted in said lower socket, said bar including an anchor connection with said frame at one of said sockets and an anchor connection with said door at a location spaced from said first mentioned anchor connection; means on said frame forming 7 a movable mounting for said upper hinge socket for extending said upper hinge socket beyondsaid upper-edge, into said hole and around said upper end. 7

- Thecombination of a door frame including'an upper hinge socket and a lower hinge socket; a door including ahole formed through the door from the upper edge to the lower edge thereof, said hole being coextensive with the pivotal axis of the door; a resilient bar extended through said hole and having an upper end inserted in saidupjper socket and a lower end inserted in said lower socket, said bar including an anchor connection with said frame at one of said sockets, an anchor connection with said door at a location spaced from said first mentioned anchor connection; means for adjustably rotating oneof s'aid anchor connections relative to the other of said anchor connections for twisting said resilient bar; means on said frameforming a movable mounting for said upper hinge socket for extending said upper hinge socket beyond said upper edge, into said hole and around I said upper end and stop means for said door, said resilient bar being in a twisted configuration when said door is against said stop means.

. 3, A door construction comprising, in combination, frame means including an upper frame member, a lower frame member, and a jamb member; a door including an upper edge, a lower edge, a side edge, and a hole formed through the door from said upper edge through said lower edge; a socket plate carried by the door-confronting surface of one of said upper and lower frame members, said socket plate forming a first socket and a first hearing port-ion; a second socket movably mounted within the door-confronting edge of the other of said upper and lower frame members; a resilient bar extended through said hole and connected to said door and disposed along the pivotal axis thereof, the ends of said bar being disposed in said sockets, one of said ends being anchored to said socket plate and forming a second bearing portion in engagement with said first bearing portion and means 'for moving said second socket between a first position Within one of said frame members to a second position wherein said second socket extends into said hole and "engages an end of said resilient bar.

4. A. door construction comprising, in combination, frame means including an upper frame member, -a lower frame member, and a jamb member; a door including an upperedge, a lower edge, and a hole formed through the door from said upper edge through said lower edge a side edge; a first socket movably mounted on the door-confronting surface of one of said upper and lower frame members a second socket formed by a socket plate spaced from said first socket and secured'to said door; a resilient bar extended through said hole and disposed along the pivotal axis thereof, the ends of said bar being disposed "in said sockets, one of said ends being anchored to said socket plate; and stop meansfor said'door, said do'or being maintained against said stop-by residual torque exerted by said bar a bearing' plate including i at-bearing portion on the door confronting surface of-the-otherof saidupper and lower frame members; a 'seeondbeafing portion on said door and in engagement said -first bearing portion and means for moving said first socket into said hole and into engagement with the btherof said ends of said resilient bar. V

5. A door construction comprising, in combination, frame means including an upper-frame member, a dowel frame member, and ajarnb member; a door including an upper edge, a lower edge, and a side edge; a door mounting means adjacent "said upper edge and including a socket member secured to said upper name member; a second doormounting means adjacent said lower edge and including a bearing member secured'to said lower frame member; a resilient bar forming a pivotal connections with said socket member, said bar ineluding an anchor connection with said bearing member and an anchor connection with said door; and means on said upper frame member for extending said'socket member beyond said upper edge of said door and into eonnect-ion with an upper end of said resilient bar.

6. A door construction comprising, in combination, frame means including an upper frame member, a lower frame member, and a jamb member; a door including an upper edge, a lower edge, and 'a side edge;a first door mounting means adjacent said upper edge and including a socket member secured to said upper "frame member; a second door mountingmeans adjacent said 'lower 'edge and including a bearing member secured to said lower frame member; a resilient bar-forming a pivotal connection with said socket member, said bar including an anchor connection with said bearing member; and means forming an adjustable connection between said resilient bar and said door for selectively providing various amounts of residual torque in said bar when said door is in a closed position; and means on said upper frame member for extending said socket member beyond said upper edge of said door and into connection with an upper end of said resilient bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

